Former Wallabies skipper George Gregan has been appointed to the board of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

The 38-year-old - world rugby's most-capped player with 139 Test appearances - replaces former team-mate Mark Connors as the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) representative on the panel.

Connors will step down following the ARU's annual general meeting in April, having served on the board since 2007.

"He [Gregan] is one of the most decorated players in the history of our game," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said.

"George has also established himself as a successful businessman post-rugby so is ideally placed to make a further and important contribution to Australian rugby in the years ahead."

Gregan won the Rugby World Cup with the Wallabies in 1999 and back-to-back Tri-Nations titles in 2000 and 2001. Domestically, he won two Super Rugby titles with the Brumbies, who have since named a stand in honour of his achievements alongside fly-half Stephen Larkham.